Refuse bag holder



March 26, 1968 R. A. KURLANDER ETAL 3,

REFUSE BAG HOLDER Filed Jan. 6, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS 28 ROBERT A. KURLANDER Lita; 24 GEORGE M. NUTTING E I 22 fix.m

ATTORNEY March 26,1 1968 R. A. KURLANDER 'ETAL 3,374,976

REFUSE BAG HOLDER Filed Jan. 6, 1966 3 Shets-Sheet 2 FIG.3

. INVENTORS ROBERT A. KURLANDER GEORGE M. NUTTING MQEWN 8V ATTORNEY March 26, 1968 A. KURLANDER ETAL 3,374,976

REFUSE BAG HOLDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 6, 1966 INVENTORS ROBERT A. KURLANDER 'N UTTI NG ORNEV GEORGE M.

United States Patent 3,374,976 REFUSE BAG HOLDER Robert A. Kurlander, 277 Hillside Ave., Nutley, NJ. 07110, and George M. Nutting, 202 Beverly Hills Road, Clifton, NJ. 07012 Filed Jan. 6, 1966, Ser. No. 519,100 3 Claims. (Cl. 248-97) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A refuse bag holder defined by a pair of opposed, selfstanding frames each frame having cam operated clamping means on the top thereof for detachably securing a refuse bag thereto.

Most refuse receptacles comprise a rigid container such as a pail, basket or the like into which a protective liner of some sort is invariably inserted. The protective liner is most frequently an ordinary, open-topped, generally rectangular paper bag. However, such rectangular bags do not easily or properly fit into the usual, cylindrical garbage pail or can. In addition, such paper bags have little wet strength and, therefore, cannot receive wet garbage without the danger of soaking through and rupturing.

Recently, a variety of open frame garbage bag holders have been developed to support a water proof, generally rectangular, open-topped refuse bag. Existing frames are excessively complex and costly. In addition, the means employed presently to detachably secure the bag to the frame are difficult to operate, frequently tear the bag and permit accidental disengagement thereof from the frame particularly when heavily loaded.

Therefore, it is among the objects and advantages of our invention to provide a refuse bag holder in which the opposing top edges of a generally rectangular, opentopped bag are clamped to a pair of horizontal, generally parallel top members of an open frame refuse bag holder.

Another object of our invention is to provide a refuse bag holder in which the said clamps trap and squeeze the opposed top edges of the bag between a pair of relatively broad, smooth, flat surfaces which afford a maximum area of contact.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a refuse bag holder in which the clamping surfaces of the bag clamp move toward and awayfrom each other in the nature of an opening and closing jaw with no motion parallel to the clamping faces.

Yet a further object of our invention is to provide a refuse bag holder in which a pair of clamps on each top member of the frame is simultaneously engaged and disengaged to the top edge of the bag by rotation of a single lever.

Still a further object of our invention is to provide a refuse bag holder in which the clamps provide a relatively large throat to receive the top edge of the bag and to quickly engage and disengage the same upon the rotation of a single lever.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide a refuse bag holder in which the said clamps comprise an upstanding, generally flat stationary member, a generally flat movable member folded over upon itself and pivotally attached to the top edge of the stationary member at its apex, and a rotatable cam shaft positioned between the stationary member and one leg of the movable member whereby rotation of the cam shaft causes one leg of the movable member to tightly engage the stationary member.

Still a further object of our invention is to provide a refuse bag holder in which the same cam shaft is rotatably secured to the top member of the frame by meansof its "ice interposition between a stationary member and a pivotal member as well as the top member of the frame.

Yet a further object of our invention is to provide a refuse bag holder in which the top members of the frame which are normally in engagement with each other may be separated by a foot treadle thereby opening the refuse bag.

Another object of our invention is to provide a refuse bag holder in which the clamps secure the bag with its top edge projecting above the top members of the frame to permit stapling of the said top edges before disengagement of the bag from the frame.

Still yet a further object of our invention is to provide a refuse bag holder which is comprised of but two principal frame members pivotally interengaged and spring loaded to each other.

These objects and advantages as well as other objects and advantages may be achieved by our invention, one embodiment of which is illustrated in the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an end elevational view showing our refuse bag holder in the closed position in solid lines and in the opened position in broken lines;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the holder;

FIGURE 3 is a view in perspective showing the holder in the open position;

FIGURE 4 is a view in perspective showing the holder in the open position with the bag clamped to the top members thereof;

FIGURE 5 is an end elevational, cross-sectional view of one top member and the bag clamp in the closed position;

FIGURE 6 is an end elevational, cross-sectional view of the top member of the frame and the clamp in the open position;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of the clamp;

FIGURE 8 is a view in perspective of the top member of the holder and the stationary members of the clamp, the movable members being removed. 7

Referring now to the drawings in detail, our refuse bag holder comprises an open, bent metal, self-supporting, upright frame or stand 11 having a self-supporting, support member 12 and a pivotal member 13 pivotally engaged thereto. The stand or support member 12 comprises a pair of generally upstanding, generally parallel side members 14 and 15 and a top member 16 generally horizontal and oriented at right angles to the side members 14 and 15. The bottom of each of the side members 14 and 15 is bent upon itself at an angle to the horizontal to define a foot 17 and a support leg 18. The support leg 18 inclines upwardly from the foot 17 with respect to the horizontal and the opposite end thereof is off-set to define a second vertical leg 19. Thus, the support member rests upon vertical legs 19, 19 and feet 17, 17 to maintain itself erect.

The pivotal member comprises a pair of generally parallel, straight, side members 20 and 21 joined together at their tops by a top member 22 which is horizontal to the ground when the pivotal member 13 is engaged to the support member 12. The bottom of each of the side members 20 and 21 are bent upon themselves at slightly more than degrees to define a pair of leg segments 23 and 24 which extend generally along the respective support legs 18, 18 of the support member 12. The ends of the leg segments 23, 24 are bent upon themselves inwardly toward each other to define a straight foot treadle 25.

The pivotal member 13 is provided with a pair of outwar-dly extending shafts 26, 26 at the bottom of each of the side members 20 and 21. The shafts 26, 26 extend through a collar 27 welded to the bottom of the respective support legs 18, 18. A clinch nut 28 secures the shafts 26, 26 within the collars 27, 27.

The support member 12 thus, defines a generally inverted, U-shaped frame inclined at an angle to the vertical and adapted to be self-supporting on the respective legs 19, 19 and 17, 17. On the other hand, the pivotal member 13 defines a generally inverted U-shaped member with an off-set, generally U-shaped foot treadle formed on the bottom thereof, the pivotal member 13 being pivotally mounted on the support legs 18, 18 of the support member 12. The respective top members 16 and 22 when engaged to each other are vertically aligned to approximately the pivot point of joinder between the support member 12 and the pivotal member 13.

A spring 29 is secured between each of the respective side members 20, 14 and 21, normally urging the support member 12 and pivotal member 13 into engagement with each other.

A pair of clamps, respectively 29, 29 and 30, 30 are attached to the top members 16 and 22. Each of the said clamps comprises a flat, generally rectangular, upstanding, stationary member 31, the bottom of which 32 is curled around the top member 16 or 22 and welded thereto. Each of the stationary members 31 is provided with a triangular off-set 32 on the side adjacent to the side members 14, 20, 15, 21 of the respective support member 12 and pivotal member 13. The triangular olfsets 32, disposed at substantially right angles to the stationary member 31 define end walls to secure a cam shaft 33 therebetween and against lateral movement.

A fiat, movable member bent over upon itself, 34 is pivotally mounted at its apex 35 along the top edge 36 of the stationary member 31. Each of the movable members is provided with a slot 37 at its apex 35 through which a tab 38 formed integrally with the top edge 36 of the stationary member 31 passes. The tab 38 is bent over to secure the movable member 34 from disengaging the stationary member 31 but is sufi'iciently loose to permit the movable member 34 to pivot along the top edge 36 of the stationary member 31 at its apex within the limits defined by the stationary member 31 and the top member 16 or 22 of the frame or member 12 or 13.

The movable member 34 thereby defines a pair of generally rectangular, fiat depending legs 39 and 40 formed integral with each other by bending a single piece. The leg 39 extends downwardly to approximately the top of the top member 16 and the leg 40 extends somewhat further downwardly and terminates in an outwardly flared The cam shaft 33 is provided with an angularly off-set end 42 defining a cam surface. The shaft 33 may rotate freely within the confines defined by the stationary member 31, the top member 16 and the leg 39 of the movable member 34 provided the off-set end 42 is oriented generally vertically with respect to the top member 16 and parallel with respect to stationary member 31. However, upon rotation of the cam shaft 33, the off-set end 42 on each end thereof simultaneously engages the inside of leg 39 of the movable member 34 causing the movable mem ber 34 to pivot at its apex 35 about the top edge 36 of the stationary member 31. This pivotal movement causes the opposite depending leg 40 of the movable member 34 to move generally radially inwardly toward the stationary member 31 until it firmly engages therewith. The movable member 34 is fabricated of a slightly resilient material to provide a tight yet somewhat resilient contact between leg 40 thereof and the stationary member 31. A lever 43 is attached to the cam shaft 33 intermediate its ends for rotation thereof.

In operation, the lever 43 is oriented to position the off-set ends 42, 42 on the cam shaft 33 generally parallel to the stationary member 31 so that the movable member 34 may freely pivot thereon. If the leg 39 of the movable member 34 is moved inwardly toward the top member 16, the opposite leg 40 extends outwardly away from the stationary member 31 to define an open throat 44 for the insertion of the top edge 45 of a paper refuse bag 46. The lever is then manipulated to cause the offset ends 42, 42 on the cam 33 to progressively engage the inside surface of leg 39 of the movable member 34. This causes the opposite leg 40 to pivot inwardly toward the stationary member 31. If the top edge 45 of the bag 46 has been inserted therebetween in the throat 44, leg 40 squeezes and clamps the top edge 45 of the bag 46 to the stationary member 31 thereby securing the bag 46 to the top member 16 of the support member 12.

It should be borne in mind that the stationary members 31 of the clamps 29, 29 are positioned on the side of the top member 16 in direct opposition to the top member 22. Similarly, the stationary members 31 of clamps 30, 30 on the top member 22 of the pivotal member 13 are located on the inside thereof and in direct opposition to the top member 16 of the support member 12. Thus, the top edges 45, 45 of the bag 46 are in close proximity to each other when the support member 12 is engaged to the pivotal member 13 at the tops thereof. Of course, the springs 29, 29 insure that the bag 46 is normally closed. However, when the foot treadle 25 of the pivotal member 13 is depressed, the top member 22 thereof swings outwardly away from the top member 16 of the support member 12 thereby opening the bag 46 at the top edges 45, 45 thereof.

To secure a bag 46 to our frame 11, one longitudinal top edge 45 thereof is slid upwardly through the open throat 44 of a pair of clamps, either 29, 29 or 30, 30 on one of the respective members 12 or 13. The lever 43 is then rotated to cause the off-set ends 42, 42 of the cam shaft 33 to engage the movable member 34 closing the throat 44 and clamping the top edge 45 of the bag 46 to the stationary member 31. The opposite side of the frame is similarly secured to the top edge of the bag 45.

The exposed top edges 45, 45 of the bag 46 may be stapled shut before disengagement from the holder thereby eliminating the danger of spillage during disengagement. After the bag 46 is stapled shut the lever 43 on each of the cam shafts 33, 33 is rotated to disengage the movable member 34 of the clamp thereby releasing the top edge 45 of the bag. The normal weight of the bag causes it to drop downwardly to the floor. An adaptive handle may then be attached to the stapled bag for transporting it elsewhere. 7

The foregoing description is merely intended to illustrate an embodiment of the invention. The component parts have been shown and described. They each may have substitutes which may perform a substantially similar function; such substitutes may be known as proper substitutes for the said components and may have actually been known or invented before the present invention;

these substitutes are contemplated as being within the scope of the appended claims, although they are not specifically catalogued herein.

We claim:

1. A refuse bag holder comprising:

(a) a self-standing first frame defining a first generally horizontal top member,

(b) a second frame pivotally engaged to the first frame and defining a second, generally horizontal top member, pivotal into generally parallel, abutting relationship with the said first top member,

(6) means normally urging the first and second said top members into engagement with each other, (d) clamp means on each top member each said clamp means defining,

(e) an upstanding stationary member rigidly secured to the top member,

(f) a movable member defining a pair of legs joined at and depending from an apex and spaced apart at their bottoms, said movable member being pivotally mounted at its internal apex over the top edge of the stationary member, the legs of said movable member extending downwardly on opposite sides of the stationary member,

(g) a cam shaft extending along the top member and inserted between the stationary member and one leg of the movable member of each clamp on the said top member,

(h) a radial cam on the shaft between the stationary member and the said leg of the movable member, the shaft and cam being engagable With both upon rotation of the cam shaft to pivot the movable member about the top edge of the stationary member, and

(i) means for rotating the cam shaft.

2. A refuse bag holder comprising:

(a) the structure in accordance With claim 1 and,

(-b) an upstanding wall on one side of each stationary member extending transverse to the top member beyond the end of the cam shaft limiting axial movement thereof.

3. A refuse bag holder comprising:

(a) the structure in accordance with claim 1 in which,

(b) each stationary member is a flat generally rectangular piece extending in a plane generally tangential a 6 to the top member on the side adjacent the opposite top member, and

(c) each movable member is a flat rectangular piece folded over upon itself,

(d) the movable member being pivotally mounted along the top edge of the stationary member by means of tab on the said top edge extending through a slot in the apex of the movable member and bent over thereupon to prevent disengagement of the movable member from the stationary member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 740,734 10/ 1903 Bishop 24-250 857,105 6/ 1907 Patten 24250 2,269,257 l/ 1942 Edwards 248147 3,226,070- 12/1965 Kurlander 24897 20 ROY =D. FRAZIE'R, Primary Examiner.

K. J. WINGERT, Assistant Examiner. 

